God

Prayer in the Life of our Savior

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Jesus demonstrated great dependence on the Father which helped him fulfill his mission on earth. Prayer gave him strength to teach and heal, aided him in difficult decisions, and sustained him through the dark hours of temptation. Great things often happened when Jesus prayed. After Jesus was immersed, he prayed. At that time “heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased‘” (Luke 3:21, 22).

After the wilderness temptations, Jesus began to preach and teach. His message was accompanied by the casting out of demons and healing of all sicknesses. This ministry was surely draining for Jesus since people continually came to him with their physical and spiritual problems. After a healing episode, Jesus tried to get away: “At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them” (4:42). The Savior retreated for both physical rest and spiritual revitalization: “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (5:16; see 9:10, 11).

Major decisions in the life of Christ were met with prayer. Jesus had already attracted a following of disciples. But it was time for him to designate leaders among them who would be his closest associates. “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles” (6:12, 13).

Later, while he was praying with his disciples, Jesus asked them about his identity.  The disciples had heard Jesus teach and they had seen him perform miracles – but they had also heard his fervent prayers. “And He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Peter answered and said, ‘The Christ of God’” (9:20). After a few days, Jesus took the inner circle – Peter, James, and John – up on a mountain for the purpose of praying. Jesus was transformed before his sleepy disciples: “As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning” (9:29).

After hearing the Savior pray one day, the disciples asked Jesus to instruct them (11:1). Jesus also told them a parable about a persistent widow to encourage their prayer life and endurance (18:1-8). He upheld the sanctity of the temple based on the premise that it was to be a “house of prayer” (19:46). Jesus called his disciples to greater heights of prayer: “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (21:36).

It was also in the darkest of moments that Jesus fervently prayed. He prayed for Simon’s final outcome – that after he had fallen he would be restored to usefulness among the disciples (22:31, 32). Jesus prayed for himself – for the cup of suffering to be taken from him: “Father, if you are willing take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (22:42). In his submission, Jesus was strengthened by an angel and was empowered to endure the suffering of crucifixion. The Savior even prayed from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (23:34).

It’s not hard to look at the life of Jesus and see how important prayer is. It helps to connect you with the Father. It can bring strength and renewal. It can even be a way to convey your concerns or cares to God. Prayer will hopefully be as important to us as it is to Jesus. Hopefully we will have a continual practice of communication with our Lord each and every day.

A Fresh Perspective

Posted on by Bob Mathews

We are coming to the end of 2020 and it is truly difficult to even know what to say. It has been a difficult year around the world. Unfortunately, the ramifications of this year are likely to continue to plague us. It would be nice if we could just hit the reboot button and get a fresh start. However, our very existence on this Earth means that we will have to deal with the happenings on it. None of us can fully avoid it no matter how much we might like to. So why is it, that even with all the turmoil this year has brought, some still hold their heads up high unfazed by the struggles? That question may not be answered the same way by all but let me tell why Christians have the ability to do this year after year.

In the book of James, he states early in the first chapter, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,” (James 1:2). To many this is an insane concept. Why would you ever be happy or joyful to undergo trials in life? First, think about what it says. The word “consider” in this verse has a awesome notion built into the root of the word that means ‘lead’ or ‘leadership.’ This means that James is telling us to lead our minds in this way. Simply put, it means we have to decide to have this type of attitude in our lives. God does not promise us that our lives will be easy, in fact, there is plenty said throughout Scripture that would prove otherwise. What we are asked to do is to have the right perspective in life. Bad times will come and go but we are told what these trials can bring IF we have the right perspective.

Continue looking at James picking back up at verse three, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let that endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3-4). What we can see is that these trials or struggles that we deal with has value. Think of exercising, you put your body through difficult training so that your body will be strengthened. Your muscles may hurt and be sore but slowly you will see the benefit of that labor. From a spiritual standpoint this is what James is getting at. With the right perspective the struggles or trials that come are way can make us stronger rather than tear us down. This can lead to us becoming complete (mature) Christians that can endure what this world throws at us.

Maybe now it is easier to understand why, even when life is tough or the world seems to be falling apart around us, those who believe in God can continue pushing forward with a positive outlook. If you need a little more insight look at what James 1:12 says, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” We can push forward with joy because of what we look ahead to, what we have been promised.

I wish I could promise that life would get easier or better just because a digit changes on the calendar. What can be promised is that struggles and trials will always be a part of life. What perspective will you choose to view them through? If you want to walk through life with hope and joy ever before you then align yourself with God. If your really have a desire for 2021 to be an amazing year, then I suggest that your prepare your mind with a fresh perspective. One that will hopefully lead you back to God’s open arms. May this new year bring peace and joy to all, but especially to those of the faith.

The Influence of One

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Throughout the bible, you can see that many nations are often influenced by a single person. This can be good and it can be bad because if that influence is coming from a man of God like Elijah or Elisha the influence is good. However, if it comes from a man like Jeroboam or any of the kings of the Northern kingdom of Israel the influence would only cause damage. If we look at the book of Kings we can see Josiah as a good influence example.  Upon finding and reading a lost book teaching him about God, Josiah did away with the idols and brought the people back to God (2 Kings 23). On the opposite side of the coin, a king like Omri of the northern kingdom did evil in the sight of the Lord even to the point of being worse than all those before him (1 Kings 16:25).

Today, just like then, we have kings and presidents that run the nations around the globe. They, just like the leaders of the past, are doing one of two things; they are either leading people to God or away from God. There is nothing else as important as the influence that they have in those regards. We too like leaders of the world have a realm of influence. Some of us might be able to influence more people than others but how are we using that influence. Are we like Paul or Josiah bringing people to God, or are we like Omri or Charles Darwin who led people away from God with their influence? As Christians, our influence can be great. If we are willing to spread the Word of God and the blessings that come with having a relationship with God, then we will influence people towards God. We may never influence a whole nation but we each will have the ability to influence people that others can’t. So let’s be like Josiah and so many others that influenced people to come to God.    Jacob Saarloos

Two Aspects of God

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Nahum 1:2-8

During the prophesying of Nahum to the people of Nineveh, we are given insight into two great aspects of God. We can see the severity and kindness of God. Nahum states how the Lord is a jealous and avenging God, as well as wrathful, and that His vengeance is going to come upon His adversaries. We also know that He is a God that will not leave the guilty unpunished.

However, God is also good and kind. Nahum says how He is a stronghold in the day of trouble and that He knows those who take refuge in Him. God will punish those that are against Him but He will also protect those with Him. And when it says that God knows it means that He truly knows those that are with Him and not just those who act like they are when it benefits them. God’s kindness is truly great for those with Him, but are you with Him? And being neutral is does not count in this instance. Because even if you live a life that consists of good and happiness you still have to be on one side or the other. You can’t live a life absent of God and be on His team. If we live for ourselves, even if that means we live a good and moral life, we are still adversaries of God because we are not His allies.

God wants us to be on His side and He wants to protect us from the death that is to come, but we have to make that choice. So what kind of choice will we make? Will we live for God and hold fast to all that He teaches or live for ourselves and be the object of God’s wrath in the end?       Jacob Saarloos

 

God Comes Through

Posted on by Bob Mathews

In 1 Kings 18:20 and following verses, Elijah, a great man of God goes up to Mount Carmel and sent a message to King Ahab to bring the people and the prophets of Baal up to the mountain. Elijah then proceeded to ask the people why they waffle between worshipping God and Baal. He tells them that they need to choose one or the other. After saying this he sets up a way to show the people that God is the almighty living God. He challenged the 450 prophets of Baal to a duel. He had both set up altars and see which God would answer by fire from heaven.

Elijah gave an abundant amount of time to the prophets of Baal to attempt everything they could to try and get an answer from their god, even to the point of cutting themselves. Inevitably their god never answered them. Elijah stood up and built his altar to God, prepared the sacrifice, and then soaked it all in water for emphasis. As soon as Elijah prayed to God rained down a mighty fire that consumed the soaked sacrifice as well as everything else. God came through for Elijah to prove his point to the people that they need to choose the true God.

Today many people look at the world and see how many people, who don’t follow God, seem to be better off and more blessed in this life. However, just because they have what they want in this life does not guarantee their spiritual life. Many times the wicked people of the bible prosper, right up until God brings judgment on them. God’s judgment will come to all of us, but we have a sense of peace because unlike those who don’t follow God in this life, God will come through for us on the Day of Judgment, just as he came through for Elijah.                                                                                                              Jacob Saarloos

Do Not Fear

Posted on by Bob Mathews

“It is said that the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin so feared for his safety that his residence in Moscow contained eight bedrooms. Each night Stalin chose a bedroom at random to ensure that no one knew exactly where he was sleeping.” – Unknown

Stalin is a man with the exact opposite attitude of Elisha. In 2 Kings 6, Elisha is being hunted down by the Arameans because being a prophet of God he was sent word and warned the king of Israel where they were going to be. The king of Aram couldn’t have Elisha giving valuable information away so he sent a great army to go get Elisha. When that great army arrived, Elisha’s servant seeing the city surrounded went to tell Elisha because he was afraid. After telling Elisha the servant asked, “what shall we do.” Elisha simply answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Now the servant couldn’t see the physical presence of God and His army but Elisha knew that they were there and trusted in God, which allowed him not to be afraid.

Today we often forget that God is still there protecting us as He did for Elisha. We are more like Stalin afraid of the things that may happen or the people that may be after us. Jesus even gives us some comfort about this problem of fear. Jesus says, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). If we are going to fear anything or anyone it should only be God. It is possible that something could happen and we may lose our life, but nothing can take away our soul but God. If we stay faithful and fully trust in God like Elisha even if we die in this physical world our eternal soul will be safely tucked away with God. So, what is there to fear other than being separated from God?       Jacob Saarloos

What Shall Come to Pass

Posted on by Bob Mathews

In the Old Testament Scriptures, we find something interesting that happens quite often but never ceases to amaze. God often relays to the rulers of the land through His prophets. And even at times, you will find that these rulers would do a good thing of inquiring from these prophets so they can hear from God what they are to do in certain circumstances, like before going into battle for example. The interesting thing is that even after hearing what God has to say some of these rulers choose to act upon something even when God told them the outcome would be bad. A good example of this is in 1 Kings 22. Ahab the king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel led a campaign against Syria. He was able to get the aid of Jehoshaphat the king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. However, before Jehoshaphat would go into battle with Ahab he required the king to get word from God through a prophet. Ahab reluctantly complied with Jehoshaphat’s request. The prophet then told him that not only would he be defeated but that Ahab himself would die in the battle.

Now here is the interesting part; Ahab had seen the work of God throughout his life, and every time a prophet was doing the work of the Lord in Ahab’s life, it came to pass. Ahab, hearing from the prophet that he would be defeated and even be killed, still chose to go to battle. It seems to be the opposite of what a rational person would do. But here is the important thing to take away from this event; we need to understand that what God declares will come to pass as He said. The good news is that for us today God has declared to us that we can obtain everlasting life through His Son. And as you will find over and over again throughout the Bible, what God says always comes to pass. So if everlasting life is something you seek Jesus is what you need.

Jacob Saarloos